Tripods

Tallest max height tested at 68.2 inches, four leg-angle positions, and a better-than-expected bundled ball head. Wipes the floor with competitors at its price point.

The tripod Reddit tells you to 'only cry once' about buying. Legendary carbon fiber build, trusted by pros for decades, and genuinely worth every painful dollar.

Packs tighter than anything else thanks to polygonal legs and a sculpted center column. A 5-year daily driver for professional location work, per PCMag's own reviewer.

The go-to Reddit recommendation for casual shooters who want reliable quality without the premium price tag. The Mach3 carbon fiber steps it up for more serious use.

Wirecutter's top smartphone tripod pick after testing dozens of options across real trails and city streets. Flexible legs wrap around any surface and the 1K payload handles all phones.